APC application deadline is approaching. Every year, the same panic sets in around October and November. Practitioners scramble to gather documents, chase CPD records, and sort out their professional indemnity coverage before the deadline hits. Some miss it anyway and pay a late fee. Some miss the indemnity requirement entirely and have their application rejected.
This post breaks down exactly what the Malaysian Medical Council (MMC) and Malaysian Dental Council (MDC) require for your Annual Practising Certificate (APC) so you can get it done without the last-minute stress.
Why this matters for Your APC Application
Practising without a valid APC is not a paperwork issue. Under Section 20(1) of the Medical Act 1971, any fully registered medical practitioner who intends to practise after 31 December of any year must hold a valid APC for the following year. Dentists are bound by the same obligation under the Dental Act 2018.
No APC means you cannot legally see patients, supervise clinical staff, conduct clinical research involving patients, or teach in any setting that involves direct patient contact. The Medical Act 1971 stipulates that all MMC members must be fully registered medical practitioners holding a valid APC — and the requirement applies equally in public service, private practice, and academia
MMC requirements (doctors)
Applications are submitted through the MeRITS system at meritsmmc.moh.gov.my, and the deadline to apply without penalty is 1 December of the current year.
Applications must comply with Regulation 28 of the Medical Regulations 2017 and must be accompanied by proof of professional indemnity coverage and evidence of a minimum of 20 CPD points.
The CPD cycle runs annually from 1 July to 30 June each year. Points must be recorded through one of the MMC-approved systems ie MMA, MOH, or AMM and will reflect automatically in MeRITS when you apply. Points earned outside the current cycle do not carry over.
Registered medical practitioners who do not hold a valid APC for six consecutive years without acceptable reason may have their full registration revoked under Section 24(2)(c) of the Medical Act 1971.
Who needs an APC: Any practitioner who has direct contact with patients, contributes to the management of an individual’s physical or mental health, directs or supervises other health practitioners in patient care, or teaches in clinical specialties involving direct patient contact.
Who may not need one: Examiners or assessors of medical students where no patient treatment is involved, researchers with no human subjects, and practitioners serving on boards or committees where registration as a medical practitioner is not a condition of appointment.
MDC requirements (dentists)
Dental practitioners apply through the Malaysian Healthcare Practitioners’ System (MHPS), and the deadline for the following year’s APC is 1 November of the current year. A late application fee of RM 100 applies per practitioner.
The minimum CPD requirement is 20 points per year. The points used for your application must be from the preceding year. CPD earned in 2024, for example, goes toward the APC application submitted in 2025 for the 2026 certificate. CPD records must be updated by 31 January before the application window opens in February.
Starting in 2025, all Malaysian dentists must carry valid professional indemnity coverage to renew their APC, a requirement introduced under the Dental Act 2018.
Private sector dental practitioners with multiple practising addresses must display the APC at each location, as required by Section 42 of the Dental Act 2018.
Professional indemnity
Both MMC and MDC require proof of professional indemnity as part of a complete application. It is a mandatory document, not an optional attachment.
Professional indemnity covers you when a patient brings a claim alleging negligence in your professional services. It covers legal defence costs and any compensation awarded against you. Without it, you carry those costs personally, and your APC application is incomplete.
The MDC has confirmed that professional indemnity coverage is required for APC applications, ensuring all eligible practitioners have the required protection to support their professional practice. BKKM
The coverage period must align with your APC period. A gap between your indemnity start date and your APC start date will hold up your application.
| Doctors (MMC) | Dentists (MDC) | |
|---|---|---|
| Submit via | MeRITS | MHPS |
| Deadline | 1 December | 1 November |
| Late fee | RM100 | RM 100 |
| Minimum CPD | 20 points | 20 points |
| CPD cycle | 1 July – 30 June | Preceding calendar year |
| CPD records due | 30 June | 31 January |
| Required documents | CPD points, APC fee, Indemnity insurance (private & locums) | CPD points, APC fee, Indemnity insurance (private & locums) |
Sorting your indemnity
The most common reason for an incomplete application is missing or wrongly dated indemnity coverage. The certificate needs to be active and cover the period you are applying for.
MMT Care provides Shariah-compliant medical and dental professional indemnity takaful underwritten by Syarikat Takaful Malaysia Am Berhad. Applications are fully online and the certificate is issued on the same day. Terms and conditions applied.
Visit mmt.care to learn more.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog reflects the personal views of the author and is intended for general informational purposes only. Readers are advised to conduct their own research or consult with appropriate professionals before making any decisions based on this content.
